Brown Sugar Glazed Classic Meatloaf

Brown Sugar Glazed Classic Meatloaf is a low-and-slow baked loaf with a sticky-sweet brown sugar glaze that caramelizes into a mahogany crust. Mix, shape, glaze halfway, then bake until cooked through and finish with a short rest for clean slices.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 20

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Calories: 380

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Meatloaf

2 lb ground beef
1 cup breadcrumbs
2 large eggs
0.5 cup milk
1 small onion, diced
2 clove garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
0.25 salt and pepper, to taste

Brown sugar glaze

0.25 cup ketchup
0.25 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Equipment

1 sheet pan

Method

Preheat and prep the pan

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Set the lined baking sheet near your mixing area so you can shape the loaf right away.

Mix and shape the loaf

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, and mix until just combined.
Shape the mixture into a loaf on the prepared baking sheet.

Make the glaze and bake

Whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar for the glaze, then brush half over the loaf.
Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes, until the glaze looks set and slightly thickened.
Brush with the remaining glaze and bake for another 15–20 minutes, until cooked through and the top is deeply caramelized.

Rest and slice

Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing so the juices settle.

Notes

For the best crust, use a foil tent during the final 10 minutes only if the glaze browns too fast. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days; freeze sliced meatloaf (wrap well) for up to 2-3 months and reheat until hot. For a lighter option, swap half the ground beef for lean ground turkey while keeping the glaze the same.